Do I need to rent a car in Devon?

Yes, unless your trip is strictly confined to the Exeter-Totnes-Plymouth mainline railway corridor. Reaching the trailheads of Dartmoor, hidden coastal coves, and North Devon surf beaches without a personal vehicle requires hours of waiting on sparse rural bus networks.

How difficult is driving on Devon's rural roads?

Demanding if you are unused to single-track lanes flanked by high earth banks ('Devon hedges'). Expect blind bends and frequent reversing into designated passing places; opt for a compact car rather than an SUV.

What is the proper etiquette for a Devon cream tea?

Devon style mandates clotted cream first, followed by strawberry jam on top (the exact reverse of neighboring Cornwall). Arguing for the jam-first method in a Devon tea room will earn friendly but genuine correction.

How many days should I budget for a trip?

Plan for 5 to 7 days. Trying to cover both the rugged north surf coast and the sheltered southern estuaries in less than 5 days results in spending half your holiday negotiating slow rural roads.

When should I secure summer accommodation?

Book coastal cottages, boutique seaside inns, and Dartmoor pubs 4 to 6 months in advance for July and August visits. May and September stays generally offer flexibility 4 to 6 weeks out.

Can I hike the South West Coast Path in day sections?

Yes, but plan transport ahead. Many coastal sections can be linked by local bus lines (like the Stagecoach coastal buses) or passenger ferries (such as between Dartmouth and Kingswear), allowing you to walk out and ride back without doubling your mileage.

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Devon

Two wild coastlines, high granite moorland, and unmatched cream teas

Coastal and moorland hikers tackling the South West Coast Path or Dartmoor trailsFamilies looking for sandy surf beaches and classic seaside heritageFood travelers pursuing local shellfish, artisanal dairy, and estate farm shopsAgatha Christie enthusiasts and literary history seekers visiting Greenway and Torquay

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StaysCompare hotels in Devon Things to doTours & tickets in Devon FlightsFind flights to Devon

Devon is England's third-largest county and the only one bordered by two distinct seas: the Atlantic rollers of the north and the calmer English Channel coves of the south. Between them sit the prehistoric granite tors of Dartmoor and the deep gorges of Exmoor. It delivers dramatic South West Coast Path clifftop hiking, quiet estuarine sailing towns, and farm-to-table seafood without the single-road choke points found deeper down the peninsula.

How long

5 to 7 days

Best time

Late May to June, and September

Build your own trip with these prebuilt itineraries

Each one is a tested, day-by-day plan for Devon — start here, then make it yours.

7 days

7 Days Across Devon: Coast & Moorland Road Trip in Devon

A classic countywide loop taking in wild Dartmoor tors, Jurassic Coast fossils, and dramatic North Devon surf bays

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5 days

5 Days in the South Hams & English Riviera in Devon

Coastal paths, maritime history in Dartmouth, Agatha Christie heritage, and fresh local seafood

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4 days

4 Days in North Devon & Exmoor Outdoors in Devon

Rugged coastal hiking along high sea cliffs, Atlantic surf breaks, and quiet country pub culture

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Devon gives you the archetypal West Country experience—tidal estuaries, historic harbors, thatched country pubs, and craggy moors—with significantly more geographic variety and easier rail access than Cornwall. Whether navigating the dramatic Valley of Rocks in North Devon or drinking Salcombe crab soup on the South Hams estuary, the landscapes feel ancient, expansive, and deeply restorative.

Where to stay

Base yourself according to your primary interest because traveling between the north and south coasts eats 2+ hours across tight rural lanes. Choose Dartmoor or the South Hams (Dartmouth, Salcombe, Totnes) for sailing, historic inns, and coastal dining; pick North Devon (Woolacombe, Croyde, Lynton) for surfing, dramatic cliff hikes, and rugged seascapes; or choose Exeter if you rely purely on rail transit.

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Getting there

Great Western Railway runs direct high-speed trains from London Paddington to Exeter St Davids in roughly 2 hours, continuing through Newton Abbot, Totnes, and Plymouth. South Western Railway also connects London Waterloo to Exeter via Salisbury. Exeter Airport (EXT) serves domestic and select European flights, while Bristol Airport (BRS) is 1.5 hours north by train or car.

Find flights to Devon

Getting around

A car is strongly recommended to explore moorland villages, rural farm shops, and secluded coastal coves. Main hubs like Exeter, Totnes, and Plymouth connect well via rail, and Stagecoach South West operates regional bus networks, but public transport frequencies drop sharply in rural hamlets and deep Dartmoor.

Rent a car in Devon

Food & drink

Devonshire cream tea—strictly clotted cream first, then strawberry jam atop a fresh scone—is a point of county pride. Prioritize fresh Start Bay crab, Brixham harbor market day-boat fish, local pasture-fed beef, Salcombe dairy ice cream, and West Country farmhouse cheeses like Harbourne Blue and Sharpham.

What it costs

Moderate to upscale depending on the season. Expect £120-£250 per night for quality bed-and-breakfasts or boutique coaching inns, £18-£35 per person for pub dinners with local pints, and £6-£9 for a traditional afternoon cream tea.

Things to do

Book tours & tickets in Devon

1Hike through Dartmoor National Park among granite tors and wild Dartmoor ponies around Haytor and Widecombe-in-the-Moor

2Explore the South West Coast Path along the dramatic Valley of Rocks near Lynton and Lynmouth

3Cross the tidal sands or ride the sea tractor to Burgh Island at Bigbury-on-Sea

4Tour Agatha Christie's riverside holiday home at Greenway Estate via ferry from Dartmouth

5Hunt for Triassic fossils along the red cliffs of the Jurassic Coast near Beer and Sidmouth

Skip it if

Travelers expecting buzzing, 24-hour urban nightlife or seamless rail connections to every seaside village. If you cannot rent a car and dislike long rural bus journeys, Devon's best sights outside Exeter and Totnes will prove frustrating to reach.

When to go

You secure long daylight hours and comfortable hiking temperatures without the crawling single-track traffic jams and inflated peak-season school holiday tariffs of July and August.

Peak (July–August)

Warmest sea temperatures and active water sports, but popular beaches fill car parks by 9:30 AM and narrow country lanes become frustrating chokepoints.

Shoulder (May–June & September–October)

The prime window: wildflowers or autumn foliage, uncrowded South West Coast Path segments, and easy dinner reservations.

Low (November–April)

Windswept, quiet, and wet; seasonal ferry routes and historic manor houses shut down, but moorland pubs with open log fires offer exceptional low-season value.

Neighborhoods

Where you stay shapes the trip. Here's how to think about it.

Dartmouth & The Dart Estuary

Maritime heritage, pastel terraces, and polished riverside gastronomy.

Best for:Sailing buffs, food-focused couples, and Agatha Christie readers.

Don't miss:The pedestrian ferry over to Kingswear to ride the heritage steam railway or visit Greenway Estate.

Croyde Bay & Woolacombe

Salty surf culture, sweeping dunes, and laid-back beachside pubs.

Best for:Surfers, coastal hikers, and beach-bound families.

Don't miss:The rugged headland hike out to Baggy Point for Atlantic rollers and nesting seabirds.

Totnes & Dartington

Bohemian, fiercely independent, and steeped in organic farming culture.

Best for:Alternative craft seekers, farm-to-table diners, and transit-reliant travelers.

Don't miss:Seasonal sharing plates and natural wines at The Bull Inn on the steep high street.

Central Dartmoor (Widecombe & Chagford)

Untamed moorland, ancient granite tors, and stone-built hearthside taverns.

Best for:Off-grid hikers, wild swimmers, and solitary road-trippers.

Don't miss:Scrambling up the granite outcrop of Hound Tor before an afternoon tea in Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

Salcombe & Hope Cove

High-end yachting playground surrounded by sheltered turquoise coves.

Best for:Luxury weekenders, paddleboarders, and coastal walkers.

Don't miss:Taking the tiny foot passenger ferry across the harbour to sunny East Portlemouth beach.

Destination intelligence

Updated 9/14/2026

The structured record we plan every Devon itinerary from.

Walkability

Low countywide; excellent within individual historic centers like Dartmouth, Exeter, and Totnes, or along mapped trails such as the South West Coast Path.

Transit quality

Moderate along the central rail corridors (Exeter-Totnes-Plymouth); sparse to challenging throughout Dartmoor and rural North Devon.

Car needed

Yes, unless restricting your stay strictly to mainline rail hubs and using local taxis.

Ideal duration

5 to 7 days

Minimum useful

3 days

Peak season

July to August (warmest sea temperatures, packed holiday beaches, school holiday pricing, and heavy lane traffic).

Shoulder season

May to June and September to October (long daylight hours, wildflower blooms or autumn color, open visitor attractions, and uncrowded coastal paths).

Low season

November to March (chilly, frequent rain, reduced ferry and heritage site schedules, but cozy open-fire pubs and empty walking trails).

Best for

SoloHigh for long-distance trail hikers, landscape photographers, and relaxed B&B travelers comfortable with rural driving.

CouplesHigh, offering romantic estuary-side seafood spots, boutique countryside hotels, and secluded cliff walks.

FamiliesVery high, featuring safe sandy beaches, steam railways, boat rentals, and working open farms.

GroupsModerate to high, particularly when booking converted coastal barns, large holiday cottages, or outdoor activity weekends.

Common mistakes

Underestimating travel times on single-track country lanes bounded by high hedgerows where reversing into passing places is required
Applying jam before cream on your scone, which is the Cornish method and considered an error in Devon
Trying to split a 3-day weekend between North Devon and the South Hams instead of picking one coast
Arriving on Dartmoor without proper waterproofs, maps, and sturdy boots, as moorland weather shifts rapidly from sun to dense fog

Best nearby

CornwallDorsetSomersetExmoor National Park

How to plan it

Pick either North Devon or South Devon as a single base if you have fewer than 5 days; driving between the two coasts easily eats up half a day on winding roads.
Book heritage dinner spots and destination pubs like The Bull Inn in Totnes or seafood joints in Dartmouth at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead for summer weekends.
Pair a South Devon sailing town like Dartmouth with 2 nights in interior Dartmoor (such as Chagford) to experience the contrast between maritime lanes and wild granite wilderness.
Do not rely on card machines or mobile phone coverage on open Dartmoor; download your trail maps offline and keep GBP 20 in cash for honor-box farm stands and remote car parks.
Time your beach days around the tide chart: wide sandy bays like Woolacombe expand dramatically at low tide, while secret coves can become entirely submerged at high water.